Formula One: Breaking Down the Latest Gossip and Rumours from the Paddock

Here is a recap of all the summer season rumours that have broken this week, including titbits from Ferrari, Sauber and even Baywatch...

Raikkonen decides on sensational move back to Ferrari?

Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat (via Autoweek) sensationally reported on Wednesday that Kimi Raikkonen has decided to return to the team he won the 2007 world drivers’ title with.

It has been widely reported that Red Bull are set to make Raikkonen an offer to partner Sebastian Vettel, but the Finnish paper says that the information is based on “trusted Ferrari sources” and that Red Bull team owner Dietrich Mateschitz is still keen on signing Fernando Alonso from Ferrari.

But according to BBC Sport, a Ferrari spokesman was quick to downplay the link, saying there is “no foundation” to the claims.

Bianchi plays down Ferrari links

Another driver who has been linked to a seat at Ferrari, at the expense of the out-of-favour Felipe Massa, is current Marussia driver Jules Bianchi. However Autosport have quoted Bianchi as saying he would be happy to stay with a team that will boast Ferrari engines next season.

I think Marussia will be a good team next year. We will have a new engine. All the teams start from zero again [with the rules changes] I think we will have a good opportunity. It's a good option to stay here. I'm really happy with what we have done, even if we want a bit more performance. I think we're doing well.

Another Spaniard set for F1?

Whilst Alonso is the Spaniard most people are talking about, young compatriot and DTM driver Daniel Juncadella has confirmed that he is in the running for a future with the Williams F1 team, according to motorsport.com.

We'll see what happens in the future. Next year, Williams and Mercedes will have the same engine, and so Mercedes can send its young and inexperienced drivers to a team it is connected with, where the driver has the opportunity to show his potential. There is a good chance that in a few years I can become the main driver for Williams. We'll see. First I need to show strong results.

Sauber rubbishes talk of Russian investment collapse

One team that has been rumoured to be struggling with investment is Sauber.

The German press reported on Tuesday that a deal with Russian investors, including the Investment Corporation International Fund, the State Fund of Development of Northwest Russian Federation and the National Institute of Aviation Technologies, was in danger.

But talking to Autosport on Wednesday, Sauber slammed such reports as "falsehoods and rumours."

Our announced cooperation with Russian partners is on a solid footing. The contract with driver Sergey Sirotkin is active, and he will commence preparations next week - after Formula 1's obligatory holidays. In addition, contracted payments to the team have already been made. A financial contribution from NIAT (National Institute for Aviation and Technology) was never planned - a technical cooperation forms the basis of our contract with NIAT, and this is ongoing. We are bewildered by the ease with which various media have published falsehoods and rumours.

Former F1 driver to race for Pamela Anderson!

Former Formula One driver Tonio Liuzzi is to race for a new boss—in the form of former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson!

Yes, that’s right: Liuzzi is to be partnered by Niki Lauda’s son Mathias after Autosport announced that they will race a Ferrari 458 Italia for the final three races of the FIA GT championship this year for team Race Alliance by Pamela Anderson.